What You'll Find at Brant Point

Brant Point is the southeastern tip of Nantucket, where the harbor mouth opens into Nantucket Sound. It's a working lighthouse point with public access to rocky structure, shallow flats, and a strong tidal current that concentrates striped bass and bluefish. The fishing here is seasonal and tide-dependent, but when conditions align—spring and fall especially—you can catch stripers in the 20- to 35-pound range and blues up to 12 pounds on light tackle.

The point itself is a granite jetty and rocky shoreline. You fish from the rocks or wade the shallows on the harbor side depending on tide and time of year. The current runs hard through the mouth, which means fish stack up to feed, but it also means you need to time your visit and understand how the water moves.

Key Takeaways

  • Brant Point fishes best on moving tide, especially the last two hours of incoming and first two hours of outgoing, when current pushes baitfish into the rocks.
  • Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) are prime seasons; summer is slower and winter is closed to public access.
  • You can fish from the rocks or wade the harbor-side flats, but the rocks are slippery and the current is strong—wear felt-soled boots and use a wading belt.
  • Stripers respond to small plugs, soft plastics, and live mackerel; blues will hit almost anything but prefer faster retrieves and flashier lures.
  • Parking is limited and the point is a working lighthouse—arrive early, respect the grounds, and check Nantucket town regulations before you go.

Seasonal Patterns and When to Fish

Spring (April and May) brings the first strong bite. Stripers are moving through Nantucket Sound on their way north, and they concentrate at Brant Point because the current and rocky structure funnel baitfish. Water temperature is still cold—in the 50s—so fish are aggressive and feeding hard. Expect the bite to peak in the hour before and after slack tide, when the current eases enough for fish to hold position without exhausting themselves.

Fall (September through October) is equally good and often more consistent. Stripers are heading south, and the water is warmer, which means they stay active longer into the day. Bluefish are also present in fall, sometimes in large schools. The bite can last from first light through mid-morning, then slow in the afternoon heat before picking up again near sunset.

Summer (June through August) is slower. Water warms into the 70s, and stripers move to deeper, cooler water offshore. You'll catch fish, but they're fewer and often smaller. Winter access is restricted—the point is closed to the public from November through March.

Reading the Tide and Current

The current at Brant Point is the engine of the fishery. Water flows in and out of Nantucket Harbor through a narrow mouth, and Brant Point sits at the corner where that current meets the Sound. On incoming tide, water pushes northeast; on outgoing, it pulls southwest. Either way, baitfish get swept into the rocks, and stripers position themselves to intercept.

The best fishing window is the last hour of slack water (when the current pauses between tides) through the first two hours of moving water. During this window, fish are feeding actively but not fighting the current. Once the tide is running hard—usually three to four hours into the cycle—the bite slows because fish have to work too hard to hold position.

Check tide tables for Nantucket Harbor before you go. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes free tide predictions online, and most fishing apps include them. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your target tide window so you can get positioned and make your first casts as the current begins to move.

Access, Parking, and What to Bring

Brant Point is accessible via Easton Street, which runs to the lighthouse. There is a small parking area, but it fills quickly on good weather days, especially in fall. Arrive before 6 a.m. if you want a spot. The lighthouse grounds are open to the public, but the light tower itself is closed, and you should not block vehicle access or interfere with lighthouse operations.

Wear felt-soled wading boots—the rocks are slippery even when dry, and they're treacherous when wet. Bring a wading belt to keep your waders from filling if you slip. The current is strong enough to sweep an off-balance angler, so use a staff or wade with a partner. A small headlamp is useful for early-morning sessions, and polarized sunglasses help you spot fish in the shallows.

Bring a small tackle box with plugs in the 2- to 3-inch range (Kastmasters, Atom Striper Smashers, and Rebel Fastracks work well), soft plastics (4- to 6-inch shads), and a few live mackerel if you can get them from a local tackle shop. A 7- to 8-foot medium-light spinning rod with 15- to 20-pound braid is ideal. You don't need heavy gear here—the fish aren't huge, and lighter tackle lets you feel the bottom and detect strikes.

Fishing Techniques That Work

On the rocks, cast uptide and let your lure swing through the current. Stripers often hold just behind the largest rocks where the current breaks. Work your plug or soft plastic with a steady retrieve, pausing occasionally to let it flutter. If you're not getting hits after 10 casts, move to a different section of the point rather than grinding the same water.

In the harbor-side shallows, wade slowly and look for depressions and channels where water runs deeper. Cast ahead of moving water and retrieve slowly, keeping your lure in the zone where baitfish concentrate. Early morning and late afternoon are best for wading because the light is lower and fish are less spooky.

Live mackerel fished on a simple rig—a small circle hook, a light sinker, and a 12-inch leader—will catch stripers consistently. Cast it out and let it drift with the current, keeping just enough tension to feel a take. This method is less exciting than casting, but it's effective when the bite is slow.

Local Regulations and Restrictions

Massachusetts requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 and older. You can purchase a one-day license online through the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries website or at most tackle shops on Nantucket. The cost varies but is typically under $10 for a single day.

Striped bass have a 19-inch minimum size and a two-fish daily limit in Massachusetts. Bluefish have no minimum size but a 10-fish daily limit. Keep only what you plan to eat, and release undersized fish immediately. The point is a working lighthouse, so respect the grounds, pack out all trash, and do not leave tackle or line behind.

Nearby Alternatives If Brant Point Is Crowded

If parking is full or the bite is slow, Jetties Beach (north side of Nantucket) offers similar structure and easier access. The beach has a parking lot and a sandy bottom with rocky outcrops. The fishing is less consistent than Brant Point, but it's a solid backup on crowded days.

Madaket Harbor (west end of Nantucket) is another option, especially on incoming tide. It's a larger body of water with more room to spread out, and stripers move through on their way in and out of the harbor. The walk is longer, but the solitude is worth it if you're willing to hike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Brant Point in winter?

No. The point is closed to the public from November through March. The lighthouse grounds are restricted during this period, and the rocks are dangerous in winter weather. Spring and fall are the only reliable seasons.

Do I need a boat to fish here?

No. Brant Point is entirely accessible from shore. You can fish from the rocks or wade the harbor-side flats. A boat would let you reach deeper water offshore, but it's not necessary for the point itself.

What's the best time of day?

Early morning (first light through 9 a.m.) is most consistent. The bite can pick up again near sunset, but the morning window is more reliable. Time your visit to coincide with moving tide, and you'll have the best chance.

Are there other fish besides stripers and blues?

Occasionally. Bonito and false albacore move through in fall, and you might hook a small tarpon in late summer, though it's rare. Stripers and blues are what you should expect and plan for.

What should I do if I hook a large striper?

Keep your rod tip up and let your drag slip if the fish runs hard. The rocks and current will work against you, so don't horse the fish. If it wraps around a rock, give it slack and let it free itself rather than breaking your line. Most fish here are in the 20- to 30-pound range and will fight hard but stay manageable on medium-light tackle.